






THE BATTLE ^ 356 

.03 S9 
Copy 1 



QUEENSTON HEIGHTS: 



BEINfi A N\RR.VTIVB OF TH:< 



OPENING OF THE WAR OF 1812, 



WITH NOTICES OF THE LIFE 01.' 



M A JOIl-GENEK AL 

SIR ISAAC BROCK, K.B., II 



AM> DESCBriTIOX OF 



m 



r I». 



THE MONUMENT ERECTED TO HIS MEMORY. 



KDITED BY JOHN SYMONS, ESQ. 




TOllONTO: 

TtIOMl'.SON A CO., l'UINTER3, 77 KING STKKET EAST. N 



1859. 
PRICE 25 CENTS. 







/ 




SOUTH WEST VIEW.Of THE 

EBECIED OSTQUEENg TON HEIGHTS, 

1866. 



THE BATTLE 



OP 



QIJEENSTON HEIGHTS: 



EKIXO A K.umATIVE OF THU 



OPENING OF THE WAR OF 1812 



WITH JfOTJCES OP THE I.IPE OP 



MAJOR-GENERAL 

SIR ISAAC BROCK, K.B. 



AXB DE3CRIPII0N OF 



THE MONUMENT ERECTED TO HIS MEMORY. 



EDITED BY JOHN SYMONS, ESQ. 



TORONTO: 

THOMPSON A CO., PRINTERS. 77 KING STREET EAST. 
1859. 



cL 






TO 

THE MILITIA, 
INDIAN WARRIORS, 

AND 

PEOPLE 

OP UPPER CANADA, 

By whose loyalty and liberality, aided by the untiring exertions, judgment 
and good taste of 

THE BUILDING COMmTTEE, 

This splendid tribute of a country's gratitude has been erected, 

THIS LITTLE WORK 

IS 
RESPECXrULLY INSCRIBED 

BT 

THE AUTHOR. 

ToEOKio, Sepfember, 1863. 



rUI ®F T^[E i.^TTL£ ®F PEIflSTD^ 



* ./'> 




-/ Spot where. Brock fell 

[Road 61/ wki^Ti the reinforrerrUTits ironiy 
Zifori (jieorffepmned thr Hcwhis in the 

\a/tertu)o?r 
3 ^imericati line as drawn up zfi afternoon 
4.£ritish Ivne do. do 



5. Site of first Tnomwie^t 
6 Old Fort 
7. Vrontonfs Battery 
S Brocks nwnument 



Jbkn. SUzsZii*. TorcnW 



I 



I 



THE BATTLE OF UUEENSTON HEIGHTS. 



On the 13th October, 1812, was fought the Battle of Queenston 
Hciglitf^. 

We desire to tread lightly upon the ground of the quarrel between 
Great Britain and the United States. We had been almost disposed to 
pass over entirely this dark era in the history of the two nations, least an 
allusion to it might, in the remotest degree, disturb that friendly feeling 
which now happily exists between them, but our history would not be 
complete if we did so ; we shall, however, only place on record, a fcAv gene- 
ral notices of the events which preceded and accompanied this war : 
landmarks, which may guide the reader to the clear comprehension of the 
subject which is the immediate object of these pages. AVe shall en- 
deavour to be truthful and exact in every statement, drawing our informa- 
tion from official documents, and historical volumns, and in not a few in- 
stances from parties themselves who were present on the field of action. 
And if the reflections which our subject may occasionally suggest do not 
carry conviction to the minds of some, we hope for that forbearance which 
we should ourselves be inclined to show, were this little work compiled by 
one whose sympathies were opposite to our own. 

It was manifest from the temper shewn by the President and Congress 
of the United States, towards the close of the year T81], that nothing 
could prevent a war between that country and Great Britain, but either a 
change in the system pursued by the latter, or a dread in the former to 
come to the point of actual hostilities, under the prospect of much suficr- 
ing from abroad and much discontent at home. When it was seen that 
the resolutions of the Committee of Foreign Relations were all carried by 
great majorities, of which the lowest was 101) to 22 and the highest 110 
to 11, and when a motion in the House of liepresentatives for the indefi- 
nite postponement of a bill for raising 25,000 additional troops was rejected 
by a majority of 98 to 20, it was evident that hostile proceedings were 



A 



6 THE BATTLE 07 

iiearly deterrained on. At this time the advocates of •war, besides tha lure 
of rich prizes to bo made bj the American privateers, threw out confident 
expeetationa of the conquest of Canada. 

3]r. Gallatin's budget was laid before Cougrees on January 12th, 1812. 
It recommended a loan of §10,000,000 to meet the exigencies of that year, 
and calculated that a like loan would be necessary for several years to 
come. It also gave the comfortable prospect of continually iucreaping 
taxes to pay the interest of these loans. But when the particulars of rais- 
ing these necessary supplies for the war and equipping an adequate mili- 
tary force came to be discussed in Congress, the great majorities in favor 
of iliG measures proposed by Government, no longer appeared, and several 
questions were barely carried. 

It would be superfluous to give a sketch of the arguments used on 
each side in this discussion ; arguments referring to the beaten topic 
of the French decrees aud English orders in Council regarding neutral 
commerce aud the right of search, and which proved totally inefficacious 
to produce conviction on the minds of the different parties. In this 
uuiiappy quarrel both parties in England and the United States boasted 
of their moderation and forbearance, both alleged the reason and justice 
of their cause, yet both were, in fact, determined by motives of state 
policy operating exclusively upon themselves. 

The temper of the House of liepresentatives with respect to a war 
with England, was rendered manifest by the result of a motion by Mr. 
Randolph, on May 29th. That gentleman, after a long speech, condemning 
iho present relations of the United States with Great Britain and France, 
submateii to the House tl-- -allowing resolution: ''That under the pre- 
sent eircuuislanc s it is iuexpeJient to resort to a war with Great Britain." 
The question beii:g put that the; House do proceed to the consideration of 
the said resolution, it was uegativ<'d by 02 votes against 37. All hopes 
of pacitic measures now, therefore, rested upon the determination of the 
Senate. On Juno 4th, the President laid before Congress copies of a cor- 
re.spondence which had lately taken place between Mr. Foster and Mr. 
Monroe, it chiefly consisted of a long argumentative letter from the 
fonnei' relative to the old subject of the orders in Council aud the French 
decrees, ol wliich it is sufficient to renin) k that not the least expectation 
is held forth of asiy further relaxation on the part of Great Britain. On 
the contrary, Mr. i'. hriys expressively, <' America, as the ease now stands. 



QUEENSTON HEiaHTS. 7 

has not a pretence for claiming from Great Britain a repeal of her order? 
in Council." Previously, however, to this communication, the Prosidont 
had sent a long message to both Houses, dated June Ist^ in which he 
sets forth all the injuries and hostile measures (as lie considered thorn) 
practiced by the Government of Great Britain and still persisted in to- 
wards the United States, and recommended the subject to their early delib- 
erations. In consequence, discussions with closed doors took place in tlio 
two houses^ the final result of which was, an act passed on June 18th, de- 
claring the actual existence of v;ar between the United Kingdom of Great 
Britain and Ireland and the United States of America. The majority in 
the House of Bepresentatives on this momentous occasion for declaring 
war was 79 against 49. The supporters of war were chiefly the southern 
and western states to Pennsylvania inclusive; the votes for peace were 
chiefly in the eastern and northern states, New York taking the lead. 
As commercial grievances constituted a great part of the complaints against 
Great Britain adduced to justify the resort to arms, it is highly probably 
that if the orders in Council had been repealed early enough for intelli- 
gence of the event to have reached America before the final decision, the 
advocates for peace would have acquired so much additional strength 
as at least to have deferred the declaration of hostilities' till time had been 
given for negotiating on the other points in dispute. ]n England little 
doubt seemed to be entertained that the news of the repeal of the orders ia 
Council would arrive time enough to prevent actual war.* She had but 
recently stated that America had no pretence for claiming the repeal uf 
these orders, yet for the sake of peace she repealed them. That was not 
the time for her to engage in another war, and lca.st of all in a war with 
her own child. 

Besides England had many obvious reasons for endeavoring to avert 
the calamities of an American war at that period. She was engaged in a 
very arduous contest in P^urope, she had the most numerous and formida- 
ble enemies to contend with, she had the interest of her commerce to 
maintain, which is always dependent in some degree on a friendly conu<ic- 
tion with America ; and she had, moreover, a natural and generous aver- 
sion to conquer before she could bring herself to draw the sword again;,! a 
a people connected with her by a resemblance of language, laws and insti- 

*Tho United States declared war on 18th June, the revocation of the Ordcra 
in Council took place on 17th June. Had the Atlantic Telegraph been then in 
operation a disastrous war might have been avoided. 



8 THE BATTLE OF 

tutions. Tliese were motives sufficiently powerful to have restrained English 
Ministers even if they had not been otherwise remarkable for mildness and 
forbearance. 

But unfortunately the news of the repeal of these orders in Council 
came too late, and having hastily rushed into war it was difficult for 
America to recede; indeed subsequent events rendered it highly probable 
that the American Government of that day had anticipated credit from 
the commencement of the war, especially from the conquest of Canada, 
which seems to have been regarded as an easy task. 

Several acts of hostility occurred between tlie two powers, attended 
with various success, but we hasten to the beginning of the campaign 
against Canada. 

The first exploits of the American army, though such as might naturally 
have been expected, from tlie total want of preparation on the part of 
their government or people for a war, were, nevertheless very different 
from what the democratic party who had driven the nation into it, had 
anticipated. Early in July, General Hull invaded Upper Canada with a 
ibrce of five thousand eight hundred men, having crossed the St. Law- 
rence at Detroit, and marched to Sandwich ; he there issued a Procla- 
mation in which he expressed entire confidence of success. " I come 
prepared" he said, "for every contingency. I have a force which will 
look down all opposition, and that force is but the vanguard of a much 
greater." He then directed his operations against Fort Amherstburg, 
but he was repulsed in three difi'erent attempts to cross the Biver Canard, 
on which it stands, and General Brock having collected a force of seven 
hundred British regulars and militia, and six hundred auxiliary Indians, 
not only relieved that Fort, but compelled Hull to retire to Fort Detroit, 
where he was soon after invested by General Brock. Batteries having been 
constructed and a fire opened, preparations were made for an assault, and 
after the town had been cannonaded for two or three hours, on the 15th 
and 16th of August, the American Commander surrendered himself and 
his Army of two thousand five hundred men, and thirty-three pieces of 
cannon ; a proud trophy to have been taken with the Fort of Detroit by a 
British force of no more than seven hundred men, including militia and 
six hundred auxiliary Indians. 

At the same time a small British force had summoned and taken the 
American Fort at Mackinac. These successes had the most powerful 



QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. 9 

effect in increasing the spirit and energy of the militia of Upper Canada, 
the inhabitants of which, of British origin, and strongly animated with 
patriotic and national feelings, had taken up arms universally, to repel 
the hated invasion of their republican neighbours. An armistice was 
soon after agreed to between Sir George Prevost, the British Governor of 
Canada, and General Dearborn, the American Commander-in-Chief on the 
northern frontier, in the hope that the repeal of the orders in Council, 
would, by removing the only real ground of quarrel between the two 
countries, have led to a termination of hostilities. But in this hope, 
however reasonable soever, they were disappointed ; the American Gov- 
ernment, impelled by the Democratic constituencies, had not yet aban- 
doned their visions of Canadian conquest, and they not only disavowed the 
armistice, but determined upon a vigorous prosecution of the contest. As 
this determination unveiled the real motives which had led to the war, 
and demonstrated that the orders in Council had been a mere pretext, it 
gave rise to the most violent dissatisfaction in the northern Provinces of 
the union, who were likely from their dcpcndance upon British commerce 
to be the greatest sufferers by the contest. So far did this proceed that 
many memorials were addressed to the President from these States, in 
which they set forth that they contemplated with abhorrence an alliance 
with the then Emperor of France, every action of whose life had been an 
attempt to effect the extinction of all vestiges of freedom — that the repeal 
of the orders in Council had removed the only legitimate object of com- 
plaint against the British Government, and that if any attempts were 
made to introduce French trcops into the United States, they would re- 
gard them as enemies. The most remarkable of these memorials were 
from Rockingham, in New Hampshire, and from thirty-four cities and 
counties of the State of New York. Connecticut and Massachusetts 
openly refused to send their contingents, or to impose the taxes which had 
been voted by Congress.'" 

The American Government, however, were no-ways intimidated, either 
by the bad success of their arms in Canada, or by the menaces of the 
northern Provinces of the Union. Later in the season they assembled on 
the Niagara frontier, a force of six thousand three hundred men ; of this 
force, three thousand one hundred and seventy (nine hundred of whom 
were regular troops,) were at Lewistou under the command of General 

*Ann. Reg., 1812. 



10 THE BATTLE OF 

Van Eeasselaer. In tlic American reports this army is set down as eight 
thousand strong, -nritli fifteen pieces of field ordnance. 

To oppose this force, Major-General Brock had part of the 4l8t and 
49th Regiments, a few companies of Militia, and about two hundred 
Indians, in all fifteen hundred men ; but so dispersed in different posts, 
at and between Fort Erie and Fort George, that only a small number wa« 
available at any one point. 

Before daylight on the morning of the loth of October, a large division 
of General Van Rensselaer's army, numbering between thirteen and four- 
teen hundred, under Brigadier-General Wadsworth, eflfti^ted a landing at 
the lower end of the Village of Queenston, (opposite Lew iston) and made 
an attack upon the position which was defended with the utmost deter- 
mined bravery by the two flank companies of the 49th Regiment, com- 
manded by Captains Dennis and Williams, aided by such of the militia 
forces and Indians as could be collected in the vicinity. Captain Dennis 
marched his Company to the landing place opposite Lewiston, and vfas 
soon followed by the Light Company of the 49th, and the few militia who 
could be hastily assembled. Here the attempt of the enemy to effect a 
passage, was, for some time successfully resisted, and several boats were 
either disabled or sunk by the fire from the one-gun battery on the heights 
and that from the masked battery, about a mile below. Several boats 
were, by the tire from this last b'lttery, so annoyed, that falling below the 
landing place, they were compelled to drop down with the current and re- 
cross to the American side. A considerable force, however, had effected 
a landing some distance above, and succeeded in gaining the summit of 
the mountain. No resistance could now be offered to the crossing from 
Lewiston, except by the battery at Vromont's Point, half a mile below, 
and from this a steady and harassing fire was kept up, which did consid- 
erable execution. 

At this juncture Sir Isaac Brock arrived. He had for some days sus- 
pected this invasion, and on the preceding evening he called his staff' 
together and gave to each the necessary instructions. Agreeably to his 
usual custom he rose before day light, and hearing the cannonade, awoke 
Major Glegg, and called for his horse Alfred, which Sir James Craig had 
presented to him. He then gallcpped eagerly from Fort George to the 
scene of action, and with his two aides-de-camp passed up the hill at fitll 
gallop in front of the light company, under a heavy fire of the artillery and 



QUEENSTO-V HEIGHTS H 

musketry from the American shore. On reaching the IS-pounder battery 
at the top of the hill, they dismounted and took a view of passing eveutis, 
which at that moment appeared highly favorable. But in a few minutes 
a firing was heard, which proceeded from a strong detachment of Ameri- 
can regulars under Captain Wool, who, as just stated, had succeeded in 
gaining the brow of the heights in rear of the battery, by a fisherman's 
path up the rocks, which being reported as impassable, was not guarded. 
Sir Isaac Brock and his aides-de-camp had not even time to remount, but 
were obliged to retire precipitately with the twelve men stationed in the 
battery, which was quickly occupied by the enemy. Capt. Wool having 
sent forward about 150 regulars, Capt. William's detachment of about 100 
men advanced to meet them, personally directed by the General, who, 
observing the enemy to waver, ordered a charge, which was promptly 
executed ; but as the Americans gave way the result was not equal to his 
expectations. Capt. Wool sent a re-inforeement to his regulars, but net- 
withstanding which, the whole were driven to the edge of the bank.'^= Here 
some of the American Officers were on the point of hoisting a white flag 
with an intention to surrender, when Capt. Wool tore it off and re-animated 
his dispirited troops. They now opened a heavy fire of musketry, and 
conspicuous from his dress, liis height, and the enthusiasm with which he 
animated his little band, the British Commander was soon singled out, 
and he fell about an hour after his arrival. 

The fatal bullet entered his right breast, and passed through IjIs left 
side. He had but that instant said, " Push on the York Volunteers!" 
and he lived only long enough to request that his fall might not be noticed, 
or prevent the advance of his brave troops ; adding a wish which could 
nut be distinctly understood, that some token of remembrance should 
be transmitted to his sister. He died unmarried, and on the same day, 
a week previously, he had completed his forty-third year. The lifeless 
corpse was immediately conveyed into a house close by, where it re- 
mained until the afternoon, unperceived by the enemy. His Provin- 
cial Aid-de-camp, Lieutenant-Colonel McDouell of the militia, and the 
Attorney General of Upper Canada, a fine promising young man, was 
mortally wounded soon after his chief, and died the next day, at the 
early age of twenty-five years. Although one bullet had passed through 
his body, and he was wounded in four places, yet he survived twenty 

"Capt. Wool's letter to Col. Van Reri#,«elaer, 2ovd Octolier, 1812. 



12 THE BATTLE OF 

hours, and during a period oi" cxcrucialiiig agony his thoughts and words 
were constantly occupied with lamentations for his deceased commander 
and friend. He fell while gallantly charging up the hill with 190 men, 
"chiefly of the York Vohmteers, by Avhich charge the enemy was com- 
pelled to spike the IS-pounder, in the battery there.* 

Captain Wool in his despatch to Colonel Van Rensselaer describes this 
affair as follows : ''In pursuance of your order, we proceeded round 
the point and ascended the rocks, which brought us partly in rear of the 
battery. We took it without much resistance. I immediately formed 
the troops in rear of the battery and fronting the village, when I observed 
General Brock with his troops formed, consisting of four [only two] com- 
panies of the 49th regiment, and a few militia, marching for our left 
flank. I immediately detached a party of one hundred and fifty men to 
take possession of the heights above Queenston battery, and to hold Gen. 
Brock in check ; but in consequence of his superior force they retreated. 
I sent a re-inforccment, notwithstanding which, the enemy drove us 
to the edge of the bank, when, with the greatest exertions, we brought 
the troops to a stand, and ordered the officers to bring their men to a 
charge as soon as the ammunition was expended, which was executed with 
some confusion, and in a few moments the enemy retreated. We pur- 
sued them to the edge of the heights when Colonel McDonell had his 
horse shot from under him, and himself was mortally wounded. In the 
interim, General Brock, in attempting to rally his forces was killed, when 
the enemy dispersed in every direction." 

The troops who now retreated, formed in front of Vromont's Battery, 
and there awaited re-inforcements, while General Van Rensselaer, con- 
sidering the victory complete, crossed over in order to give directions 
about fortifying the camp, which he intended to occupy on the British 
Territory, and then re-crossed to hasten the sending over re-inforcements. 

Early in the afternoon, a body of about fifty Blohawks, under Norton 
and yonng Brant, advanced through the woods, took up a position in 
front, and a very sharp skirmish ensued, which ended in the Indians re- 
tiring on the re-inforcements which had now begun to arrive from Fort 
George. The re-inforcement consisted of three hundred and eighty 
rank and file of the 41st regiment, and Captains Jarvis,' Crook's and 

* Tnppor's life of Brock. 



QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. 13 

McEwan's flank companies of the Ist Lincoln ; Captains Nellis' and W. 
Crook's flank companies of the 4th Lincoln ; Hall's, Durand's, and Ap- 
plegarth's companies of the 5th Lincoln ; Cameron's, Reward's, and Chis- 
holm's flank companies of the York Militia ; Major Merritt's yeomanry 
corps, and a body of Sway zee's militia artillery. A short time afterwards, 
Colonel Clark of the militia arrivedfrom Chippewa, with Captain Bullock's 
company of the 41st ; Captain R. Hamilton and Row's flank companies of 
the 2d Lincoln and volunteer militia ; and many persons who were both 
by their situations in life and by their advanced age exempt from serving 
in the militia, made common cause — they seized their arms and flew to 
the field of action. 

Judge Clench, of Niagara, an old half-pay officer from His Majesty's 
service, who had retired from the command of the 1st Lincoln Olilitia, in 
company with a few otliers exempt from service, with a truly patriotic 
zeal followed their beloved general from Fort George to Queenston, and 
ranged themselves in the ranks as volunteers to drive the enemy from 
their shore. 

At this time, about two in the afternoon, the whole British and Indian 
force thus assembled was about 1000 men, of whom GOO were regulars. 
In numbers the Americans were about equal — courage they had, but they 
wanted the confidence and discipline of British soldiers. 

After carefully reconnoitcring, Gen. SheaflFe, who had arrived from Fort 
George, and who had now assumed the command, commenced the attack 
by an advance of his left flank, composed of the light company of the 4lst 
under Lieutenant Mclntyre, supported by a body of Militia and Indians. 
After a volley the bayonet was resorted to and the American's right driven 
in. The main body now advanced under cover of the fire from the two 
three pounders, and after a short conflict forced the Americans over 
the first ridge of the heights to the road leading from Queenston to the 
Falls. The fight was maintained on both sides with courage truly 
heroic. The British regulars and militia charged in rapid succession 
until they succeeded in turning the left flank of their column which rested 
on the summit of the hill. The Americans who attempted to escape 
into the woods were quickly driven back by the Indians, and many cut off 
in their return to the main body, and terrified at the sight of these exas- 
perated warriors, flung themselves wildly over the cliff's, and endeavoured 
to cling to the bushes which grew upon them • but some losing their liold 



14 THE BATTLE OP 

were dashed frightfully on the rocks beneath ; while others who reached 
the river, perished in their attempts to swim across it. The event of tho 
day no longer appeared doubtful. 

Major-General Van Rensselaer, commanding the American army, per- 
ceiving his reinforcements embarking very slowly, re-crossed the river to 
accelerate their movements; but to his utter astonishment he found that 
at the very moment when their services were most required, tho ardor of 
the unengaged troops had entirely subsided. General Van Rensselaer rode 
in all directions through the camp urging his men by every consideration 
to pass over. Lieutenant- Colonel Bloomc, who had been wounded in the 
action and re-crossed the river, together with Judge Peck who happened 
to be in Lewiston at the time, mounted their horses and rode through the 
camp, exhorting the companies to proceed but all in vain."^' Crowds of 
the United States militia remained on the American bank of the river to 
which they had not been marched in any order, but ran as a mob : not 
one of them would cross. They had seen the wounded re-crossing; they 
had seen the Indians ; and they had seen the '' green tigers," as they 
called the 49th from their green facings, and were panic struck. There 
were those to be found in the American ranks who, at this critical junc- 
ture could talk of the Constitution and the right of the militia to refuse 
crossing the imaginary line which separates the two countries.f 

General Van Rensselaer having found that it was impossible to urge a 
a single man to cross the river to reinforce the army on the heights, and 
that army having nearly expended its ammunition, boats were immediately 
sent to cover their retreat; but a desultory lire which was maintained up- 
on the ferry from a battery on the bank at the lower end of Queenston, 
completely dispersed the boats, and many of the boatmen re-landed and 
fled in dismay. Brigadier- General Wadsworth was, therefore, compelled, 
after a vigorous conflict had been maintained for some time upon both 
sides, to surrender himself and all his ofiicers and nine hundred men, be- 
tween three and four o'clock in the afternoon. 

The loss of the British army was sixteen killed and sixty-nine 
wounded; while that on the side 'of the Americans was not less than 
nine hundred men made prisoners and one gun and two colors taken, and 
ninety killed and about one hundred wounded. But amongst the 

*M:ijor-Genei-al Van Eensselaer's letter to Major-General M. Dearborn, dated 
Head Quarters, Lewiston, 11th October, 1812. 
tAxnerican Rei^ort of tlie Battle of Queeuston. 



QUEENSTON IIEIGnTS. 15 

killed of the British army the Government and the country had to deplore 
the loss of one of their bravest and most zealous generals in Sir Isaac 
Brock, and one whose memory will long live in the warmest affections of 
every Canadian and British subject, and the country had also to deplore 
the loss of the eminent services and talents of Lieutenant-Colonel Mc- 
Doiiell, Provincial Aid-de-Camp and Attorney General of the Province, 
whose gallantry and merit rendered him worthy of his chief. 

Captains Dennis and Williams, commanding the flank companies of 
the 49th regiment which were stationed at Queenston were wounded, 
bravely contending at the head of their men against superior numbers. 
Captain Dennis, though with great pain and difficulty, kept the field to 
the last. Great praise was due to Captain Holcroft of tlie royal artil- 
lery, for his judicious and skilful co-operation with the guns and how- 
itzers under his immediate superintendence, the well-directed fire from 
which contributed materially to the fortunate result of the day. Captain 
Derenzy of the 41st regiment brought up the reinforcement of that corps 
from Fort George, and Captain Bullock led that of the same regiment 
from Chippawa, and under their command those detachments acquitted 
themselves in such a manner as to sustain the reputation which the 4lKt 
regiment had already acquired in the vicinity of Detroit. 

Major-General Brock, soon after his arrival at Queenston, had sent 
down orders for battering the American Fort Niagara. Brigadier-Major 
Evans who was left in charge of Fort George, directed the operations 
against it with so much effect as to silence its fire, and to force the troops 
to abandon it, and by his prudent precautions he prevented mischief of 
a most serious nature which otherwise might have been effected, the 
enemy having used heated shot in firing at Fort George. In these ser- 
vices he was most effectually aided by Colonel Claus, (who remained in 
the Fort at the desire of Major-General Sheaffe,) and by Captain Vig- 
oureux of the Royal Engineers. The guns on Fort George were under 
the immediate direction of Captains Powell and Cameron of the militia 
artillery. 

Lieutenant Crovvther of the 41st regiment had charge of two ihrec- 
pounders which had accompanied the little corps, and they v/ere em. 
ployed with very good effect. 

Captain Glegg of the 49th regiment, Aid-de-camp to General Brock, 
afforded most essential assistance, and the services of Lieutenant Fowler 



16 THE BATTLE OF 

of tlie 41st regiment, Assistant Deputy Quarter Master C4eneral, were 
very usefiil. Much aid was derived too from the activity and intelligence 
of Lieutenant Kerr cf the Glengarry Fencibles, who was employed in 
communications with the Indians and other flanking parties. 

Lieutenant Colonels Butler and Clark of the militia, and Captains 
Hatt, Durand, Rowc, Applegarth, James Crooks, Cooper, Robt. Ham- 
ilton, McEwan, and Duncan Cameron, and Lieutenants Robinson and 
Thomas Butler, commanding flank companies of the Lincoln and York 
militia, led their men into action with great spirit. Major Merritt, com- 
manding the Niagara Dragoons, gave great assistance with part of his 
corps; Captain A. Hamilton, belonging to it, was disabled from riding, 
and attached himself to the guns under Captain Holcroft, and his activity 
and usefulness were highly spoken of. Volunteers Shaw, Thomson, 
and Jarvis, attached to the flank companies of the 49th regiment, con- 
ducted themselves with great spirit; the first was wounded, and the last 
taken prisoner. Norton was wounded, but not badly ; he and the In- 
dians particularly distinguished themselves, and they behaved with the 
same bravery and humanity as they displayed at the taking of Detroit, 
when General Brock in the despatch to Sir George Provost, ot the 17th 
August, 1812, says : — " They were led yesterday by Colonel Elliot and 
Captain McKee, and nothing could exceed their order and steadiness. A 
few prisoners were taken by these during the advance, whom they treated 
with every humanity, and it aflbrds me much pleasure in assuring your 
Excellency, that such was their forbearance and attention to what was 
required of them, that the enemy sustained no other loss in men than was 
occasioned by the fire of our batteries." 

In Major-General Sheaff'e's despatch, which has mainly furnished the 
foregoing details, particular mention is made of the spirit and good con- 
duct of His Majesty's troops of the militia, and of the other provincial 
corps. They were eminently conspicuous on this occasion, and this arm 
of the service was subsequently complimented by the Duke of Welling- 
ton, who in his protest against the third reading of the Bill to re-unite 
Upper and Lower Canada, stated that " The operations of the war were 
carried on with but little assistance from the mother country in regular 
troops, and had thus demonstrated ihat the Provinces were capable of 
defending themselves against all the efforts of their powerful neighbours, 
the United Stales." 



QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. 17 

Nothing could possibly exceed the licroic bnivery manifested on both 
sides during this sanguinary contest. Colonel Van Rensselaer, Aid-de- 
camp to General Van Rensselaer, who led the van of the invading army, 
displayed much real courage in the gallant and intrepid maimer in which 
he formed the division under his command, on the margin of the river, 
and led them on to the attack. He even after receiviiig four wounds 
continued to issue his orders. 

Captain Wool, an officer only twenty-six years of age, likewise dis- 
played great courage and self-devotedness to his country's service. 

The na.nes also of Brigadier-General Wadsworth, Colonel Sc<jll, 
Lieutenant-Colonels Christie and Fenwick, and Captain Gibson, and 
several others of an inferior rank, are honorably spoken of in General 
Van Rensselaer's despatches to General Dearborn on the subject. 

And as a tribute to the magnanimity of the enemy it is recorded, that 
during the movement of the funeral procession of the brave Brock from 
Queenston to Fort George, a distance of seven miles, minute guns were 
fired at every American post on that part of the lines, and even the 
appearance of hostilities was suspended. 

Major-General Van Rensselaer also in a letter of condolence informed 
Major-General SheafFe that immediately after the funeral solemnities were 
over on the British side, a compliment of minute guns vrould be paid to 
the hero's memory on theirs I Accordingly the cannons at Fort Niagara 
were lired " as a mark of respect due to a brave enemy." How much is 
it then to be regretted that we should ever come into collision with those 
who possess the same origin and the same language as ourselves, and who 
by their generous feelings and conduct proved that they are a liberal as 
they undoubtedly are a gallant people ; and may the future rivalry of both 
powers be, not for the unnatural destruction of each other, but for the bene- 
fit of mankind. 

Major-General Sheafie, on the morning subsequent to the battle, hu- 
manely consented to a cessation of offensive hostilities on the solicitation 
of Major-General Van Rensselaer, for the purpose of allowing the Americans 
to remove the slain and wounded. 

It would be beyond the purpose of the present work to continue the 
history of the war. If we did so, we should have to recount how the 
Americans, though unsuccessful with their army in the various attacks 



18 THE BATTLE OF 

they made on Canada, met with extraordinary and unlookcd for 
triumphs at sea, which in Europe excited the greater sensation, that they 
shook the general belief that at that time prevailed of British invinci- 
bility at sea. But it must be remembered, that the great contest in the 
Peninsula was yet doubtful and undecided, and every sabre and bayonet 
that could be spared was sent to feed the army of Wellington, which 
rendered it a matter of impossibility to despatch any adequate force to the 
Canadian frontier. Whilst, therefore, we admit the gallantry which won 
for the Americans their laurels at sea under these peculiar and exceptional 
circumstances, we would at the same time express our fervent hope, not 
only that they may long wear them, but that two countries like Great 
Britain and the United States, allied by so many natural tics and secular 
and religious interests, may forever, as they do now, dwell together in 
unitj and in the bonds of peace. 

In sad and solemn silence were the remains of our hero conveyed from 
Qucenston to Government House, Niagara. The body was bedewed with 
the tears of many affectionate friends, and after lying in state, was interred 
on the 16th October, with his Aid-dc-Camp, at Fort George; Major 
Glegg, his surviving Aid-de-Camp, recollecting the decided aversion of 
the General to every thing that bore the appearance of ostentatious dis- 
play, endeavoured to clothe the distressing ceremony with all his " native 
simplicity." But at the same time, there were military honors that could 
not be avoided, and the following was the order of the mournful procession, 
''of which," writes Major Glegg, "I enclose a plan; but no pen can 
describe the real scenes of that mournful day. A more solemn and affect- 
ing spectacle was, perhaps, never witnessed. As every arrangement con- 
nected with that affecting ceremony fell to my lot, a second attack being 
hourly expected, and the minds of all being fully occupied with the duties 
of their respective stations, I anxiously endeavoured to perform this last 
tribute of affection in a manner corresponding with the elevated virtues 
of my departed patron. Considering that an interment, in every respect 
military, would be the most appropriate to the character of our dear 
friend, I made choice of a cavalier bastion ia Fort George, which his 
aspiring genius had lately suggested, and which had been just finished 
under his daily superintendauce." 



QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. 



19 



Fort-Major Campbell. 

Sixty men of the 41st liegimeut, commanded by a subaltern. 

Sixty of the Militia, commanded by a Captain. 

IVo six-pounders — firing minute guns. 

llemaining corps and detachments of the Garrison, with about 200 Indians 

in reverse order, forming a street through which the procession passed, 

extending from the Government House to the Garrison. 

Band of the 41st Kegiment. 

Drums covered with black cloth, and mufiled. 

Late General's horse, fully caparisoned, led by four grooms. 

Servants of the General. 

The General's body Servant. 

SurT'con Muirhead, Doctor Kerr, 

Debtor Moore, ' Staff Surgeon Thorn. 

Keverend Mr. Addison. 

The body of Lieut. Colonel McDonell, P. A.D.C. 



Capt. A. Cameron, 
Lieut. Eobinson, 
J. Edwards, Esq., 

SUPPORTER. 

Mr. Dickson, 




Lieut. Jarvis, 
Lieut. Kidout, 
Capt. Crooks, 

SUPPORTER. 

Capt. CameroD, 



CHIEF MOURNER. 

Mr. McDonell. 



THE BODY OF MAJOR-GENERAL BROCK. 



SUPPORTERS. 

Mr. James CofEu, D.A.C.G., 
Capt. Vigoreaux, R. E., 
Capt. Derenzy, 41st Regt., 
Capt. Dennis, 49th Regt., 
Capt. Holcraft, R. A. 

SUPPORTER. 

Brigade Major Evans. 




SUPPORTERS, 

Capt. Williams, 49th Regt., 
T\Iajor Merritt, L.II. Lin. Mil., 
Lieut. Col. Clark, Liu. Mil., 
Lieut. Col. Butler., 
Colonel Claus. 

SUPPORTER. 

Capt. Glegg, A.D.C. 



CHIEF MOURNERS. 

Major General Sheaffe, Lieut. Colonel Myers, D.Q.M.G. 

Ensign Coffin, A.D.C, Lieut. Fowler, A.D.Q.M.G. 

The Civil Staff. 
Friends of the deceased. 
Inhabitants.* 



"Extracted from the York Gazette, Octol^er 21th, 1812. 



20 THE BATTLE OF 

The funeral solemnities on the British side being over, the touching 
compliment of minute guns was paid to the hero's memory on the Ameri- 
can, to which we have already alluded. 

The death of Brock occasioned universal sorrow, not only throughout 
Canada but in the mother country also. At the time when he assumed the 
government of the Province, he found a divided, disaffected, and weak peo- 
ple, but possessing in an eminent degree those virtues which add lustre to 
bravery and those talents which shine alike in the cabinet and in the field, 
he succeeded in gaining the full confidence of every political party, and in 
forming a united and strong people, capable, in their country's need, of pro- 
tecting her against all the attempts of her powerful neighbour,-. " His man- 
ners and disposition were so conciliating," says a writer of that period, ** as 
to gain the affection of all whom he commanded, while his innate nobleness 
and dignity of mind secured him a respect almost amounting to veneration." 

Nature had been very bountiful to Sir Isaac '^Brock in those personal 
gifts which appear to such peculiar advantage in the army, and at the first 
glance the soldier and the gentleman were seen. In stature he was tall, 
his fine and benevolent countenance was a perfect index of his mind, and 
his manners were courteous, frank and engaging. Brave, liberal and hu- 
mane, devoted to his sovereign and loving his country with romantic fond- 
ness ; in command so gentle and persuasive, yet so firm that he pos- 
sessed the rare faculty of acquiring both the respect and the attachment 
of all who served under him. When urged by some friends shortly be- 
fore his death to be more careful of his person, he replied, " how can I 
expect my men to go where I am afraid to lead them ;" and although 
perhaps his anxiety ever to show a good example by being foremost in 
danger, induced him to expose himself more than strict prudence or for- 
mality warranted, yet if he erred on this point his error was that of a 
soldier. Elevated to the government of Upper Canada, he reclaimed many 
of the disaffected by mildness, and fixed the wavering by the argument 
of success, and having no national partialities to gratify, he meted equal 
favor and justice to all. British born subjects soon felt convinced that 
neither their religion or their birth-place was an obstacle to their advance- 
ment. Even over the minds of the Indians Sir Isaac Brock gained, at 
and after the capture of Detroit, an ascendancy altogether unexampled, and 
which he judiciously exercised for purposes conducive equally to the cause of 
humanity and to the interests of the country. He engaged them to throw 



QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. 21 

aside the scalping knife, implanted in their breasts the virtues of clemency 
and forbearance, and taught them to feel pleasure and pride in the compas- 
sion extended to a vanquished enemy ; in return they loved him as their 
common father, and while under his command were guilty of no excesses.* 

In a despatch from Earl Bathurst, Secretary of State for the Colonies 
to Sir George Prevost, the following tribute of respect is paid by the 
British Government, to the memory of General Brock : — 

"■ His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, is fully aware of the severe 
loss which His Majesty's service has experienced in the death of Major- 
General Sir Isaac Brock. That would have been suflBcient to have cloud- 
ed a victory of much greater importance. His Majesty has lost in him, 
not only an able and meritorious officer, but one who, in the exercise of his 
functions of Provincial Lieutenant-Governor of the Province, displayed 
qualities, admirably adapted to dismay the disloyal, to reconcile the waver- 
ing, and to animate the great mass of the inhabitants against successive 
attempts of the enemy to invade the Province, in the last of which he fell : 
too prodigal of that life of which his eminent services had taught us to 
understand the value." 

But the gratitude of Great Britain did not end here. A public 
monument was decreed by the Imperial Government. It was voted 
in the House of Commons the 20th July, 1813, and was erected in St. 
Paul's Cathedral, the last j-esting-place of Nelson, Wellington, and other 
heroes and worthies, at a cost of £1,575 sterling. It is in the western 
ambulatory of the south transept, and was executed by Westmacolt. A 
military monument on which are placed the sword and helmet of the 
deceased; a votive record supposed to have been raised by his com- 
panions to their lamented commander. His corpse reclines in the arm.-i 
of a British soldier, whilst an Indian pays the tribute of regret his bravery 
and humanity elicited. Well do we remember how the crovvd.s, roluru- 
ing from Cathedial service, lingered around, in admiration of this 
beautiful monument. The inscription is — 

Erected at the Public Expen.se, 

TO THE MEMORY OK 

MAJOR-GENERAL SIR ISAAC BROCK, 

Who gloriously fell on the 13th of October, 

MDCCCXII., 

In resisting an attack on Queenston, 
Ix Upper Canada. 

*Howi3on's "Sketches of Canada.'" 



22 THE BATTLE OF 

An Indian, "the chief of the band of the once great tribe of the Hu- 
rons visited England some time ago. I afterwards saw hiui in Quebec, 
and had a great deal of conversation with him. When asked what had 
struck him most of all that he had seen in England, he replied without 
hesitation, that it was the monument erected in St. Paul's to the memory 
of General Brock. It seemed to have impressed him with a high idea 
of the considerate beneficence of his gi-eat father, the King of England, 
that he not only had remembered the exploits and death of his white 
child, who had fallen beyond the big salt lake, but that he had even 
deigned to record on the marble sepulchre, the sorrows of the poor 
Indian weeping over his chief, untimely slain."* 

And too, in consequence of an address from the Commons of Upper 
Canada to the Prince Regent, a munificent grant of 12,000 acres of land 
in tliis Province was bestowed on the four surviving brothers of Sir Isaac 
Brock, who in addition were allowed a pension of £200 a year for life by 
a vote of the Imperial Parliament. 

And the gratitude of the people of Canada also took an equally 
enduring form. They desired to perpetuate the memory of the hero 
who had been the instrument of their deliverance, and they were 
not slow in executing their design ; but whilst his noble deeds were 
still fresh in the memory of all, the Provincial Legislature erected a 
lofty column on the Queenstou heights, near the spot where Brock fell. — 
The height of the monument from the base to the summit was 135 feet ; 
and from the level of the Niagara Biver, which runs nearly under it, 485 
feet. The monument was a Tuscan column on a rustic pedestal with a 
pedestal for a statue ; the diameter of the base of the column was seven- 
teen feet and a half, and the abacus of the capital was surmounted by an 
iron railing. The centre shaft containing the spiral staircase was ten feet 
in diameter. The inscription was nearly the same as is now seen on the 
present monixment and will be given hereafter. 

The remains of General Brock, and that of his gallant Aid-de-camp, 
Lieutenant-Colonel McDoncll, were removed from Fort Ccorge, in solemn 
procession on the 13th October, 1824, and deposited in the resting place 
prepared for them in the monument. 

Although twelve years had elapsed since the interment, the body of 
the general had undergone little change, his features being nearly per- 

*DeRoo's Travels in North America in 1826. 



QTIEENSTON HEIGHTS. 23 

feet and easily recognised, while that of Lieutenant- Colonel McDonell 
was in a complete mass of decomposition. 

The weather was remarkably fine, and before ten o'clock a very large 
concourse of people from all parts of the country had assembled on the 
plains of Niagara, in front of Fort C4eorge, in a bastion of which the 
bodies had been deposited for twelve years. 

One hearse covered with black cloth and drawn by four black horses, 
each with a leader, contained both the bodies. Soon after ten, a line 
was formed by the 1st and 4th regiments of Lincoln Militia, with their 
right on the gate of Fort George, and their left extending along the 
road towards Quecnston, the ranks being about forty paces from each 
other, within this line was formed a guard of honor of the 76th regiment 
in i)arade order, having its left on the Fort. As the hearse moved slowly 
from the Fort to the sound of solemn music, a detatchment of royal 
artillery began to fire the salute of nineteen guns, and the guard of 
honor presented arms. 

On moving forward in ordinary time, the guard of honor broke into 
a column of eight divisions, with the right in front, and the procession 
look the following order : 

A Staff Officer, 

Subdivision of Grenadiers, 

Band of Jlusic, 

Kight wing of the 76th Regiment, 

THE BODY, 

Aide-de-camp to the late Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, 

Chief Mourners, 

Relatives of the late Colojiel McDonell, 

Commissioners for the Monument, 

Heads of the Public Departments of the Civil Government. 

Judges, 

.Members of the Executive Council, 

His Excellency and Suite, 

Left wing of the 76th Regiment, 

Indian Chiefs of the Six Nations, 

Officers of Militia not on duty, junior rank first forward, four deep, 

^Magistrates and Civilians, 

With a long cavalcade of horsemen and carriages of every description. 



24 THE BATTLE OF 

The lime occupied in moving from the Fort to Queenston, a diBtance 
of nearly seven miles, was about three hours. Being arrived opposite 
the spot where the lamented hero received his mortal wound, the whole 
procession halted and remained for a few minutes in solemn pause. It 
then ascended the heights, and to the spectator who had his station on 
the summit near the monument, nothing could be finer than the effect of 
the lengthened column winding slowly up ihe steep ascent in regular 
order, surrounded by scenery no where surpassed for romantic beauty. 
On the bodies being removed from the hearse and deposited in the vault, 
the guard of honor presented arms, whilst the artillery posted on the 
heights fired a salute of nineteen guns. The troops then marched in or- 
dinary time round the monument, and immediately separated to their 
respective jjarades. 

The remains of the bi-ave JIcDoiiell lay to the left of tho^e of tho 
General. On the Gen^Tal's coffin, which is otherwise quite plain, and 
covered with black cloth, are two oval plates of silver, each six inches 
by four, one above the other. On the first is the following inscription : 

Here lie the earthly remains of a brave and virtuous hero, 

MAJOR-GENERAL SIR ISAAC BROCK, 

Commander of the British forces and President administering the 

Government of Upper Canada; 

Who fell when gloriously engaging the enemies of his country, 

at the head of the flank companies of the 49th regiment. 

In the town of Queenstown, 

On the morning of the 13th October, 1812, 

Aged 42 years. 

J. B. Glegg, A.D.C. 

And on the second plate the following additional inscription is engraved : 

The remains of the late 

Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, K.B., 

Removed from Fort George to this vault, on the 13th October, 1824. 



Upon a f-imilar plate on the lid of the Aide-de-Camp's coffin is engraved: 

The remains of 

LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOHN McDONELL, 

Provincial Aid-de-Camp to the late 

Major General Brock, 

Who died on the 14th of October, 1812, 

Of wounds received in action the day before, 

Aged 25 years. 



QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. 25 

His Exeellency the Lieutenant Governor, Major General Sir Peregrine 
Maitland, K.C.B., was in full dress — the two McDonella and Captain 
Dickinson of the 2nd Glengarry regiment, relatives of the deceased, Lieut. 
Colonel McDonell, in the Highland costume, appeared in the procession to 
great advantage, and seemed to excite much attention. 

But amongst the assembled warriors and civilians none excited a more 
lively interest than the chiefs of the Six Nations Indians from the Grand 
River, whose warlike appearance, intrepid aspect, picturesque dress and 
ornaments, and majestic demeanour, accorded well with the solemn pomp 
and general character of a military procession ; among these young Brant, 
Bears Foot, and Henry, were distinguished. 

Thus both Great Britain and Canada vied with each other in paying 
their tributes of respect and gratitude to the noble and the brave. The 
monument on Queeaston Heights, was justly regarded by Canada with 
more affectionate veneration Jjian any other structure in the Province ; and 
the feelings of indignation entertained by every one at the occurrence 
we are going to relate, may be easily conceived. 

On Good Friday, the 17th April, 1840, a vagabond of the name of Lett, 
introduced a quantity of gunpowder into the monument with the fiendish 
purpose of destroying it, and the explosion effected by a train caused so 
much damage as to render the column altogether irreparable. Lett, who 
by birth was an Irishman and by settlement a Canadian,* had been com- 
pelled to fly into the United States for his share in the rebellion of 1837, 
and well knowing the feeling of attachment to the name and memory of 
General Brock which pervaded all classes of Canadians, he sought to gra- 
tify his malicious and vindictive spirit, and at the same time to wound and 
insult the people of Canada by this demon's deed. As may be imagined 
universal indignation was aroused, and a meeting was held on the 30th of 
July following, on Queenston Heights, for the purpose of adopting measures 
for the erection of another monument: the gallant Sir A. McNab, Bart., 
'^ especially making the most stirring exertions to promote this great object. 
The gathering was attended by about 8000 persons, and the animation of 
the scene was increased by a detachment of Eoyal Artillery, who fired a 
salute, a detatchmentof the 1st Dragoon Guards, with their bright helmets 
glittering in the sun, and the 03rd Regiment (Highlanders) in full 
costume. 



Tapper's Life of Brock. 



26 THE BATTLE OF 

la Torento the day was observed as a solemn holiday ; the public oiSces 
were closed and all business was suspended, while thousands flocked from 
every part of the Province to testify their aifection for the memory of cue 
who, nearly thirty 3'ears before, had fallen in its defence. History, indeed, 
offers few parallels of such long cherished public attachment 5 steam ves- 
sels engaged for the occasion left their respective ports of Kingston, Co- 
bourg, of Hamilton and Toronto, in time to arrive at the entrance of the 
Niagara river about ten o'clock in the forenoon. The whole of these, ten 
ia number, then formed in line and ascended the river abreast with the 
Government steamer containing the Lieutenant-Governor Sir George 
Arthur and his Staff, leading the way. The British shore was lined with 
thousands, and the fleet of steamers filled with hundreds, each shouting 
and responding to the cheers of welcome from ship to shore, and from 
shore to ship again. The landing being eff"ectcd, the march to the ground 
was accompanied by military guards and a fine military band. The public 
meeting was then held in the open air near tH% foot of the monument, and 
Sir George Arthur was in the chair. The Resolutions were moved and 
speeches made by some of the most eminent and most eloquent men hold- 
ing high official stations in the Province. The speakers were His Excel- 
lency, Sir George Arthur, Chief Justice Sir J. B. Robinson, Bart., Mr. 
Justice Macaulay, Sir Allan IMcNab, Bart., David Thorburn, Esq., M. P., 
Cclonel the Hon. W. Morris, Colonel R. J). Frazer, Colonel Clark, W. 
H. Merritt, Esq., M. P., Lieutenant-Colonel J. Baldwin, Lieutenant- 
Colonel Sherwood, Colonel Stanton, Colonel Kerby, Colonel the Hon. W. 
H. Draper, Colonel Angus McDonell, Hon. W. Sulliyan, Lieutenant- 
Colonel Cartwright, Colonel Bostwick, Colonel McDougal, Hon. Mr. 
Justice Hagerman, Colonel Button, Lieutenant-Colonel Kearnes, Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Kirkpatrick, H. J. Boulton, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel Edward 
Thomson and Wm. Woodruff, Esq. And considering that amidst this 
grand and imposing assemblage there were a great number of veteran 
officers of the Canada militia, who had fought and bled with the lamented 
chief whose memory they were assembled to honor, and whose monument 
they had come to re-establish over his remains. The enthusiasm with 
which the whole mass was animated may readily be conceived, while the 
grand and picturesque contribution of natural objects of scenery beheld 
from the heights on which they were met, and the brightness of the day, 
added greatly to the effect of the whole. 



QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. 27 

There were altogether eleven Resolutions, of which the fifth was the 
following : 

^'Resolved, — That we recall to luind with admiration uud gratitude, 
the perilous times in which Sir Isaac Brock led tiie small regular furce, 
the loyal and gallant militia, and the brave and faithful Indian warriors to 
oppose the invaders. When his fortitude inspired courage and his saga- 
cious policy gave confidence in despite of a hostile force apparently over- 
whelming." 

In Major-General Sheaffe's despatch, already alluded to, mention is 
made of the great spirit with which Lieutenant Robinson led his men into 
action. The Lieutenant of that day is now the honored Chief Justice of 
Upper Canada; on coming forward to move the fifth resolution he was 
received with the most enthusiastic cheers. 

" If," he said, '' it were intended by those who committed this shame- 
ful outrage, that the injury should be irreparable, the scene which is now 
before us, on these interesting heights, shows that they little understood 
the feelings of veneration for the memory of Brock which still dwells in 
the liearts of the people of Upper Canada. No man ever established a 
better claim to the affections of a country; and in ro-calling the recollec- 
tions of eight-and-twenty years, there is no difficulty in accounting for the 
feeling which has brought us together on this occasion. Among the many 
who are assembled here from all parts of this Province, I know there are 
some who saw as I did, with grief, the body of the lamented general borne 
from the field on which he fell, and many who witnessed with me the 
memorable scene of his interment in one of the bastions of Fort George. 
They can never, I am sure, forget the countenances of that gallant regiment 
which he had long commanded, when they saw deposited in the earth, the 
lamented officer, who had for so many years been their pride; they can never 
forget the feelings displayed by the loyal militia of this Province, when they 
were consigning to the grave the noble hero who had so lately achieved a 
glorious triumph in defence of his country; they looked forward to a dark 
and perilous future, and they felt that the earth was closing upon him, in 
whom more than in all other human means of defence, their confidence 
had been reposed. Nor can they forget the countenances, oppressed with 
grief, of those brave and faithful Indian warriors who admired and loved 
the gallant Brock ; who had bravely shared with him the dangers of that 
period, and who had most honorably distinguished themselves in the field 
when he closed his short but brilliant career. 



28 THE BATTLE OF 

It has, I know Sir, in the many years that have elapsed, been some- 
times objected, that General Brock's courage was greater than his 
prudence ; that his attack of Fort Detroit, though it succeeded, was most 
likely to have failed, and was therefore injudicous, and that a similar 
rashness and want of cool calculation, were displayed in the manner of 
his death. 

Those who lived in Upper Canada while these events were passing, can 
form a truer judgment ; they know that what may to some seem rashness, 
was in fact prudence ; unless indeed the defence of Canada was to be 
abandoned, in the almost desperate circumstances in which General Brock 
was placed. He had with him but a handful of men who had never been 
used to military discipline ; few indeed that had ever seen actual service 
in the field ; and he knew it must be some months before any considerable 
re-inforcement could be sent to him. He felt, therefore, that if he could 
not impress upon the enemy this truth, that wherever a Major-General of 
the British army, with but a few gallant soldiers of the line, and of the 
brave defenders of the soil, could be assembled against them, they must 
retire from the land which they had invaded, his cause was hopeless. If he 
had begun to compare numbers, and had reserved his small force in order 
to make a safer efiort on a future day, then would thousands upon thou- 
sands of the people of the neighbouring States have been found pouring 
into the western portions of this Province ; and when at last our mother 
country could send, as it was certain she would, her armies to our assist- 
ance, they would have had to expend their courage and their strength, in 
taking one strong position after another that had been erected by the 
enemy within our own territory. 

And at the moment when the noble soldier fell, it is true, he feli in 
discharging a duty which might have been committed to a subordinate 
hand ; true he might have reserved himself for a more deliberate and 
stronger effort ; but he felt that hesitation might be ruin, that all de- 
pended upon his example of dauntless courage, of fearless self-devotion. 
Had it pleased Divine Providence to spare his invaluable life, who will 
say that his effort would have failed ? It is true his gallant course was 
arrested by a fatal wound — such is the fortune of war; but the people of 
Canada did not feel that his precious life was therefore thrown away, 
deeply as they deplored his fall. In later periods of the contest, it some- 
times happened that the example of General Brock was not very closely 
followed. It w.as that cautious calculation which some supposed he 



QUEENSTON HEIGHTS 29 

wanted, which decided the day against us at Sackett's Harbour, it was 
the same cautious calculation which decided the day at Plattsburg ; but 
no monuments have been erected to record the triumphs of those fields ; 
it is not thus that trophies are won." 

The Hon. Mr. Justice Macaulay, in moving the third resolution, thus 
elegantly expressed himself: " It was not my good fortune to serve in the 
field under the illustrious Brock, but I was under his command for a short 
period when commandant of the garrison of Quebec thirty years ago, and 
well remember his congratulating me upon receiving a commission in the 
army, accompanied with good wishes for my welfare, which I shall never 
forget. I feel myself an humble subaltern still, when called upon to ad- 
dress such an auditory and upon such a topic as the memory of Brock. — 
Looking at the animated mass covering these heights in 18-40, to do fur- 
ther honor to the unfortunate victim of a war now old in history, one is 
prompted to ask, how it happens that the gallant General who has so long 
slept the sleep of death, left the lasting impression on the hearts of his 
countrymen which this scene exhibits ; how comes it that the fame of 
Brock thus floats down the stream of time, broad, deep and fresh as the 
waters of the famed river with whose waters it might be almost said, his 
life's blood mingled ? In reply, we might dwell upon his civil and mili- 
tary virtues, his patriotic self-devotion, his chivalrous gallantry, and his 
triumphant achievements. (Here one of the auditors added, * and that 
he was an honest man' — an attribute most warmly responded to on every 
side — for an honest man is the noblest work of God.) Still it might be 
asked, what peculiar personal qualities predominated and gave him the 
talismanic influence and ascendancy over his fcllow-mcn, which he ac- 
fjuired and wielded for his country's good ? I answer, 'are there any 
seamen among you ' ? (Yes, yes, answered from the crowd.) Then I 
say it was the Nolsonian spirit that animated his breast, it was the mind 
instinctively to conceive, and the soul promptly to dare — incredible things 
to feeble hearts — with a skill and bearing which infused his chivalrous 
and enterprising spirit into all his followers, and impelled them energeti- 
cally to realise whatever he boldly led the way to accomplish. It displayed 
itself too not only in the ranks of the disciplined soldiers, but in those also 
of the untrained militia of Upper Canada, as was amply proved on this me- 
morable ground. Such were the shining and conspicuous qualities of the 
man that has rendered very dear his memory and his fame. Gentlemen, 
the resolution which I hold in my hand, is expressive of the indignation 

I) 



30 THE BATTLE OF 

felt througliout the Province, at the lawless act, the effect of which is 
visible before us." 

After the resolutions had been carried by acclamation, and the public 
proceedings had terminated, 600 persons sat down to dinner in a tempo- 
rary pavilion erected on the spot where the hero fell. Chief Justice 
Robinson presiding; and at this, as at the morning meeting, great elo- 
quence was displayed in the speeches, great loyalty evinced in the feel- 
ings, and great enthusiasm prevailed. After the Queen's health had 
been drunk, the Chief Justice rose and said : 

"I have now to propose the memory of the late gallant Sir Isaac Brock, 
of Colonel McDonell, and those who fell with them on Queenston Heights. 
That portion of you gentlemen, who were inhabitants of Upper Canada 
while General Brock served in its defence, arc at no loss to account for the 
enthusiastic affection with which his memory is cherished among us. It 
was not merely on account of his intrepid courage and heroic firmness, 
neither was it solely because of his brillant success while he lived, nor 
because he so nobly laid down his life in our defence ; it was, I think, 
that he united in his person, in a very remarkable degree, some qualities 
which are peculiarly calculated to attract the confidence and affection of 
mankind. There was in all he said and did that honesty of character 
which was so justly ascribed to him by a gentleman who proposed one of 
the resolutions. There was an inflexible integrity, uncommon energy and 
decision, which always inspire confidence and respect — a remarkable even- 
ness in his whole demeanour of benevolence and firmness — a peculiarly 
commanding and soldier-like appearance — a generous, frank and manly 
bearing, and above all an entire devotion to his country. In short, I be- 
lieve I shall best convey my own impression when I say, it would have 
required much more courage to refuse to follow General Brock, than to go 
with him wherever he would lead/' 

The meeting presented a proud display of high and noble feelings, hon- 
orable to the memory of the dead and equally so to the character of the 
living. It was conducted with great dignity and judgment, and no acci- 
dent occurred to interrupt the pleasures of the day ; the steam vessels 
re-embarking their passengers soon after sun-set and conveying back the 
individuals composing this congregated multitude to their respective homes 
in safety.* 

*Buckingham's Canada. 



QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. 31 

The result of that meeting was the formation of a Building Committee 
for the erection of a new monument. It consisted of 

Sir Allan Napier MacNab, Bart. M. P., 

Chief Justice Sir John Beverley Eobinsou, Bart., 

Hon. Mr. Justice Maclean, 

Hon. Walter H. Dickson, M. L. C, 

Hon. Wm. Hamilton Merritt, M. P., 

Thomas Clark Street, Esq., M. P., 

Colonel James Kerby, 

Colonel McDougal, 

David Thorburn, Esq., 

Lieutenant Garrett, late 49th Regiment, 

Colonel Robert Hamilton, 

Captain H. Munro. 
The first monument, as already stated, was erected by a grant from the 
Parliament of the Province. The present one by the voluntary contribu- 
tions of the Militia and Indian Warriors of this Province; a grant from 
Parliament enabling the Committee to lay out the grounds and complete 
the outworks. 

The operations were commenced in 1853, and on the 13th October in 
that year the ceremonies of laying the foundation stone and also the third 
re-interment of Brock took place. His remains and those of his Aide-dc- 
Camp were temporarily removed from the ruined column to an adjoining 
burying ground, and were now to be conveyed to their resting place in the 
new structure. The day was splendidly fine, and a vast concourse attended 
to do homage to the illustrious dead. The pall-bearers were Cols. E. W. 
Thomson, W. Thompson, Duggan, Stanton, Kerby, Crooks, Zimmer- 
man, Caron, Thorne, Servos, Clark, Wakefield and Miller. And among 
the chief mourners were Colonel Donald McDonell, Deputy Adjutant Gen- 
eneral for Canada East, Colonel Tachu, Lieut. Col. Irvine, and the survi- 
vors of 1812 and the brave Indian Chiefs. 

The procession having gained the heights, the coffins were slowly — to 
the softened sounds of martial music — lowered down into their respective 
vaults, and deposited in the stone shells prepared for them. 

The foundation stone was then laid by Lieut. Col. McDonell, brother of 
the gallant man who shared the fate and the honors of his Commander-in- 
Chief, and addresses were then delivered by the Hon. W. II. Merritt, M. 
P., David Thorburn, Esq., Col. Tuche, Col. E. W. Thomson, &c. 



6Z THE BATTLE OF 

The column was completed in 1856. The surrounding grounds, con- 
taining about forty acres, have now been fenced in, a stone lodge erected 
with handsome wrought iron ornamental gates and cut stone piers, sur- 
mounted with the arms of the hero at the eastern entrance. From the 
entrance a carriage road, of easy ascent, winds up the steep, and is con- 
tinued to the heights by an avenue 100 feet wide, planted with chesnuts, 
maples, &c., terminating at the monument in a circle 180 feet diameter. 

The monument, as already stated, was designed by and completed under 
the superintendence of W. Thomas, Esq., architect of Toronto, who had 
also under his management and superintendence the erection of the lodge, 
laying out of the grounds, formation of roads, and all necessary works ; 
and the manner in which he discharged these duties gave the committee 
great satisfaction. 

Upon the solid rock is built a foundation 40 feet square and 10 feet 
thick of massive stone; upon this the structure stands in a grooved plinth 
or sub-basement 38 feet square and 27 feet in height, and has an eastern 
entrance by a massive oak door and bronze pateras, forming two galleries 
to the interior 114 feet in extent, round the inner pedestal, on the north 
and south sides of which, in vaults under the ground floor, arc deposited 
the remains of General Brock, and those of his Aide-dc-Camp, Colonel Mc- 
Donell, in massive stone sarcophagi. On the exterior angles of the sab- 
basement are placed lions rampant seven feet in height, supporting shields 
with the armorial bearings of the hero — on the north side is the following 
inscription : 

UPPER CANADA 

Has dedicated this monument to the memory of the late 

MAJOR-GENERAL SIR ISAAC BROCK, K. B., 

Provincial Lieut. Governor and Commander of the Forces in this Province, 

whose remains are deposited in the vault beneath. 

Opposing the invading enemy, he fell in action near these heights, 

On the I3th of October, 1812, 

In the 43rd year of his age. 

Revered and lamented by the people whom he governed, and deplored 
by the Sovereign to whose service his life had been devoted. 



QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. oB 

On brass plates, within the column, are the following inscriptions : 

In a vault underneath are deposited the mortal remains 

of the lamented 

Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, K.B., 

Who fell in action near these heights on 13th October, 1812, 

And was entombed on the 16th October at the bastion of Fort George, 

Niagara, removed from thence and re-interred under a monument to the 

eastward of this site on the 13th October, 1824, and in consequence of that 

monument having received irreparable injury by a lawless act on 17th 

of April, 18 iO, it was found requisite to take down the former structure 

and erect this monument — the foundation stone being laid, and the 

remains again re-interred with due solemnity on 13th October, 1853. 



In a vault beneath are deposited the mortal remains of 

Lieut. Col. John McDonell, P.A.D.C, 

And Aide-de-Camp to the lamented 

Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, K. B,, 

Who fell mortally wounded in the battle of Queenston, on the 13th Oct., 

1812, and died on the following day. 

His remains were removed and re-interred with due solemnity 
On 13th October, 1853. 



The column is placed on a platform slightly elevated, within a dwarf 
wall enclosure 75.0 square, with a fosse around the interior. At each 
angle are placed massive military trophies, in pedestals, in carved stone, 
20.0 in height. 

Standing upon tho sub-basement is the pedestal of the order, 10. 9 
square, and 38.0 in height, the die having on three of its enriched pan- 
nclled sides, emblematic baso relievos, and on the north side, fronting 
Queenston, the battle scene in alto relievo. 

The plinth of the order is enriched with lion's hcad.s, and wreaths in 
bold relief. The column is of the Roman composite order, 95.0 in height, 
a fluted shaft, 10.0 diameter at the base; the loftiest column known of 
this style ; the lower tones enriched with laurel leaves, and the flutes 
terminating on the base with palms. 



34 THE BATTLE OP 

The capital of the column is 16.0 square, and 12.6 high. On each face 
is sculptured a figure of victory, 10.6 high, with extended arms, grasping 
military shields as volutes; the acanthus leaves being wreathed with 
palms, the whole after the manner of the antique. From the ground to 
to the gallery at the top of the column, is continued a staircase of cut stone, 
worked with a solid nurel of 235 steps, and sufficiently lighted by loop- 
holes in the fluting of the column, and other circular wreathed openings. 

Upon the abacus stands the cippas, supporting the statue of the hero, 
sculptured in military costume, 17.0 liigh, the left hand resting on the 
sword, the right arm extended, with baton. The height from the ground 
to the top of the statue is 190, exceeding that of any monumcutal column, 
ancient or modern, known, with the exception of that on Fish Street Hill, 
London, England, by Sir Christopher Wren, architect, in commemoration 
of the great fire of 1666, 202 feet high, which exceeds it in height by 
12 feet. 

Great praise is due to the contractor, Mr. J. Worthington, for the 
skilful manner in which the work was executed ; some of the pieces of 
stone in the formation of the capital of the column, being nearly three tons 
in weight, and elevated about 100 feet from the ground, and not the 
slightest accident occurring to any of the workmen during the period of 
its erection. 

The comparative heights of some of the principal monuments of the 
kind, ancient and modern, are as follows : — 

ENTIRE HEIGHT. 

Pomney's Pillar ""•" 

Trojan's Pillar H^-O 

Autonia Column 123.0 

Monument on Fish Street Hill 202.0 

York Column 137.0 

Napoleon Column, Paris 132.0 

July Column, Paris 1^6.0 

Alexander Column, St. Petersburgh 175.6 

Melville Column, Edinburgh 152.7 

Nelson Column, Dublin 134.0 

Nelson Column, Yarmouth 140.0 

Nelson Column, Loudon, from the level of the pavement in 

Trafalgar Square I'^l-O 

Thus, then, there is only one column, either ancient or modern, in 
Europe, that exceeds the entire height of the Brock Blonument, which is 



QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. 35 

that erected iu London by Sir Christoplier Wren, in commemoration of 
the great fire in 1666. 

From the top of the columDj a magnificent view of the surrounding 
country can be obtained. To the north, and immediately below, is the 
Town of Queenston. It is at the head of the navigable waters of the 
Niagara, Queenston had used to be the place of depot for all public 
stores and merchandise which were brought from Kingston and Lower 
Canada. Public stores for Forts Erie and Maiden, and merchandise for 
all the country above, as well as the returns of furs and produce by that 
route downwards, were all stored for a time at Queenston. They were 
then transported over the carrying place, or portage, by waggons, a dis- 
tance of nine miles to and from Chippawa, above the Falls, llailways 
have altered all this, and trade has been diverted into other channels. 
The principal buildings were burnt during the war. 

In the distance, about seven miles, is the Town of Niagara, a place of 
much business and resort. It is situate at the mouth of the Niagara 
lliver. As you enter the town from Queenston, is the old Fort George ; 
about a mile north of the town is Fort Missessaga. On the x\mcrican side, 
opposite, is Fort Niagara. 

On the east of the monument, is Lcwiston, and the beautiful Suspen- 
sion Bridge. From the sudden change in the face of the country at this 
spot, and the equally sudden change in the river, with respect to its 
breadth, depth, and current, it has been conjectured that the Falls, some- 
where about thirty thousand years ago, must have been at this place where 
the waves are so abruptly contracted between the hills ; and the con- 
jecture is strengthened by the fact well ascertained, that the Falls have 
receded very considerably since they were first visited by Europeans, and 
that they are still receding every year. 

To the south are the beautiful villages of Stamford, Drumniondvillc, 
and the battle field of Lundy's Lane, and a little to the left is the terrific 
whirlpool, almost as tremendous as the Maelstrom of Norway. 

The view from this monument of the surrounding country, is perhaps 
unsurpassed for magnificence by any on the American continent, and the 
spot has been appropriately chosen as the fittest to blazon forth the achieve- 
ments of the virtuous and the brave. 



36 THE BATTLE OP 

As Fame alighted on the mountain's crest, 
She loudly hlew her trumpet's mighty blast, 
Ere she repeated victory's notes, she cast 
A look around and stopped : of power bereft, 
Her bosom heaved, her breath she drew with pain, 
Her favorite BKOCK lay slaughtered on the plain ! 
Glory threw on his grave a laurel wreath, 
And Fame proclaims, " A hero sleeps beneath." 

William Brock, the grandfather of our hero, was connected by marriage 
with one of the principal and most eminent families of the island of 
Guernsey. He had three sons and a daughter. 

John Brock, Esq., his second son, had by his wife Elizabeth Dc Lesle, 
a very numerous family often sons and four daughters, of whom eight sons 
and two daughters reached maturity. lie died in June, 1777, at Dinan, 
in Brittany, where he had gone for the benefit of the waters, at the early 
age of 48 years. In his youth he was a midshipman in the navy, and in 
that capacity had made a voyage to India, which was then considered a 
great undertaking. The family was left in independent if not in affluent 
circumstances. 

Isaac Brock, the eighth sou, was born in the parish of St. Peter-Port, 
Guernsey, on the Gth October, 1769, the year which gave birth to Napo- 
leon and Wellington. In his boyhood he was like his brothers, unusually 
tall, robust and precocious, and with an appearance much beyond his age, 
remarkable chiefly for his extreme gentleness. In his eleventh year he 
was sent to school at Southampton, and his education was concluded by 
his being placed for a twelve month under a French protestant clergyman 
at Rotterdam, for the purpose of learning the French language. The 
eldest brother John, a lieutenant in the 8th (the King's Regiment) being 
promoted to a company by purchase, Isaac succeeded, also by purchase, to 
the ensigncy which consequently became vacant in that regiment, and to 
which he was appointed on 2nd March, 1785, soon after he had completed 
his l5th year. In 1790 he was promoted to a lieutenancy and was 
(juartered in Guernsey and Jersey. At the close of that year he obtained 
an independent company. He exchanged soon after into the 49th, which 
regiment he joined at Barbadoes in 1791, and he remained doing duty 
there and afterwards in Jamaica until 1793, when he was compelled to 
return very suddenly to England on sick leave. On his return from Ja- 
maica Captain Brock was employed on the recruiting service in England 



QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. 37 

and afterwards in charge of a number of recruits in Jersey. Ou 24th of 
June, 1795, ho purchased his majority. On 27th of October, 1797, just 
after he had completed his twenty-eiglitli year. Major Brock purchased his 
lieutenant-colonelcy, and soon after became senior lieutenant-colonel of the 
49th. In 1790 his regiment embarked on an expedition under Sir Ralph 
Abercrombie to Holland, then in alliance with the French republic. Ou 
its landing an engagement took place which cost the British about 1000 
men. During this campaign Lieutenant-Colonel Brock distinguished 
himself in command of his regiment, and on the 2nd October, in the bat- 
tle of Egmont-op-Zee, was slightly wounded. 

The 49th, on the return of the expedition from Holland, was ag:\in 
quartered in Jersey, and early in 1801 was ea\barked in the fleet destined 
for the Baltic under Sir Hyde Parker, and Lieutenant-Colonel Brock 
was the second in command of the land forces at the memorable attack of 
Copenhagen by Lord Nelson, on the 2nd of April. On the return of the 
49th to England it was collected at Colchester, and in the Spring follow- 
ing, 1802, the regiment sailed for Canada, the scene of the fame and death 
of its commanding officer. 

In less than eighteen months after the arrival of the 49th in Canada, a 
serious conspiracy was on the point of breaking out in that part of the 
regiment which was in garrison at Fort G eorge. The officer in command, 
had, it seems, more by useless annoyance than actual severity, exaspe- 
rated the men to that degree, that they formed a plot to murder all the 
officers present with the exception of a young man who had recently 
joined; and then to cross over to the United States. Lieutenant-Colonel 
Brock, by promptitude of action, secured the ringleaders; and four, on 
being tried by Court Martial, were condemned to suffer death, and were 
shot at Quebec in the presence of the garrison, early in March, 1804. The 
unfortunate sufferers declared publicly that had they continued under the 
command of Colonel Brock, they would have escaped their melancholy 
end, and as may be easily conceived, he felt no little anguish that they 
who had so recently and so bravely fought under him in Holland and at 
Copenhagen, were thus doomed to end their lives the victims of unruly 
passions, inflamed by vexatious authority. He was now directed to as- 
.sume the command at Fort George, and all complaint and desertion 
instantly ceased. The Duke of York was heard to declare that Lieut- 
Colonel Brock, from one of the worst, had made the 49th one of the best 
regiments in the service. 



88 THE BATTLE OF 

In tlie fall of 1805 — in October of which year he Tvas made full Colonel 
— Cclonel Brock retiirnc-d to Europe on leave; and early in the following 
year he laid before his Royal Highueas the Commander-ia-(Mucf the out- 
lines of a plan for the formation of a veteran battalion to servo in the 
Canadas, and for which he received the special thanks of the Duke of 
York. 

While on a vi^it to his faiuily and friends in (Juernsiiy, Colonel Brock 
deemed the intelligence from the United States to be of so warlike a 
character that he resolved on returning to Canada. He left London on 
the 2Gth June, 1806, and hurried away from Europe, never to return. 

Soon after his arrival in Canada, Colonel Brock succeeded on the 27th 
September, 1806, to the command of the troops in the two Provinces, 
making Quebec his residence; Colonel Bowes — afterwards slain on the 
27th June, 1812, while leading the troops to the assault of the forts of Sala- 
manca — having resigned that command on his departure for Englan<l. 
On the 2d July, 1808, Colonel Brock was appointed tn act as a Brigadier; 
a distinguished mark of approval of his conduct. 

Brigadier Brock, in 1810, proceeded to the Upper Province, having 
been replaced at Quebec by Baron de Bottenburg, and he continued in 
command of the troops there till his death ; Lieutenant-Governor Gore 
at that time administering the civil Government. 

On the 4th June, 1811, Brigadier Brock was promoted and appointed 
by the Prince Begont, to serve as a Major-General on the staff of North 
America. 

Sir James Craig, who had been in chief command of the British North 
American Provinces, embarked for England in June, 1811, in ill health, 
and died several months after his arrival tliere. He was succeeded by 
Sir George Prevost, who arrived at Quebec in September ; and on the 9ih 
of October IMajor-Gcneral Brock, in addition to the command of the 
troops, was appointed President and Administrator of tlie Government in 
Upper Canada, in place of Lieutenant-Governor Gore, who returned to 
England, on leave. At the close of the year, Ilis Royal Highness the 
Duke of York expressed at length every inclination to gratify Major-Gen- 
eral Brock's wishes for more active employment in Europe, and Sir Geo. 
Provost was authorised to replace him by another oilicer ; but when the 
permission reached Canada early in ] 812, a war with the United States 
was evidently near at hand, and Major-General Brock, with such a pros- 



QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. 39 

pect, was retained both by honor and inclination in the country, and he 
employed himself vigorously to the adoption of such precautionary mea- 
sures as he deemed necessary to meet all future contingencies. From 
the first moment of being placed at the head of the Government, he 
appears to have been convinced that war was inevitable, and in oonse- 
•juence used every exertion to place the Province in as respectable a state 
of defence as his very limited means would admit. Immediately after war 
was declared, he made Fort George his head quarters, and superintended 
the various defences on the river. He then went to York, (now Toronto) 
where the Legislature was assembled, and having despatched the 
public business, set out for Amherstburg on the 6th of August, with 
250 militia, who cheerfully came forward to accompany him. The 
taking of Detroit soon followed, an achievement which his energy 
and decision crowned with such unqualified success, that the Gov- 
ernment at home appointed him an extra Knight of the most Hono- 
rable Order of the Bath, and he was gazetted to this mark of his country's 
approbation, so gratifying to the feelings of a soldier, on the 10th October, 
but he lived not long enough to learn that he had obtained so honorable 
a distinction, the knowledge of which would have cheered him in his last 
moments. On the 6th October when his despatches, accompanied by 
the colors of the U. S. 4th regiment, reached London, the Park and Tower 
guns fired a salute, and in one short week afterwards Brock died. 

Low bending o'er the rugged bier, 
The soldier drops the mournful tear, 
For life departed, valour driven, 
Fresh from the field of death to heaven. 

But time shall fondly trace the name 

Of Brock upon the scrolls of fame. 

And those bright laurels, which should Tvave 

Upon the brow of one so brave, 

Shall flourish vernal o'er his grave. 



Died.— On Wednesday the 18th inst, of a dis- 
ease of the brain, CHARLES DEWEY CARPEN- 
TER, in the 24th year of his age. 

On Sunday the 22d inst, of Consumption, 
WILLIAM LEVI CARPKNTER, brother of 
Charles D., in the 23d year of his age. 

These two young men were sons of the 
late Hon. Levi D. Carpenter of this vil- 
lage, and with the death of William, the 
sixth member, the earthly history of their 
father's family closed forever. They had 
just entered upon the enjoyment of a com- 
petent estate, full of hope and expectation, 
and although William was feeble, Charles, 
five weeks since, to all appearance, was in 
the enjoyment of perfect health, just com- 
mencing a life as long and happy as ever is 
allotted to the most fjivored mortals. Their 
character was excellent, their conduct ex- 
emplary, and in their walk and profession 
sincere christians. Their father's first wife 
was RosANNA, 2d daughter of the late 
Amos Osborn, by whom he had one son. 
His second wife was Jane, 4th daughter of 
the late William Osborn, who was mother 
of the subjects of this notice. They now 
all repose together in their lot in the Water- 
ville Cemetery. " How peaceful and how 
powerful is the grave which hushes all — a 
calm, uustormy wave which oversweeps the 
world." 



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